New York

As Carlos Beltran continues to nurse a sore knee and Fernando Martinez, Lucas Duda and Kirk Nieuwenhuis keep getting reps out in right field, Cory Vaughn should be the long-term solution for the New York Mets' vacant right field position in the future.

Since 1995, the New York Yankees have been in the playoffs every year except one—2008.

As a result, the current generation of Yankee fans is spoiled. We, who are Yankee fans have lived the past 16 years watching players such as Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera, Andy Pettitte, Bernie Williams, Paul O’Neil, Tino Martinez, Alex Rodriguez, C.C. Sabathia, etc.

The New York Mets are 10 days in to spring training, so now's a good time to take a look at position battles and roster predictions.

While Chris Young and Scott Hairston have seen their respective stocks rising over the last week, the second base competition is still as unclear as when camp began. Add to that more uncertainty over how the bullpen will be comprised and there are still lots of questions to answer ahead of the first round of cuts.

I am finally at the end of my series examining the relative strengths and weaknesses of the teams in the AL East, on a position-by-position basis. The players at each position have been ranked in relation to their peers within the division, with each team being assigned points based on where their player ranks in comparison to the other players.

Today, the series concludes with a look at the Designated Hitters.

The best player will earn 10 points for his team, with the remaining players being assigned points as follows: 7-5-3-1.

Yankees stud prospect Manny Banuelos may be just 19 years old, but his pitching arsenal already resembles that of a 10-year MLB veteran. Add to that a presence on the mound that screams “I belong here,” and the teenager has all the tools for superstardom.

It’s a fickle life in Major League Baseball. Here today, gone tomorrow is a phrase often used when referring to ballplayers who had a quick run of success before seemingly losing it altogether, or players felled by injuries who were unable to make it all the way back.

The stories of great fame and then injury go back many years in baseball, especially among pitchers. Dizzy Dean was a classic example.

Known as the Ace of the Gashouse Gang for the St. Louis Cardinals, Dean was the last pitcher to win 30 games in the National League, reaching that mark in 1934.

The New York Mets saw a lot of things to like from their pitchers in a 3-0 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals today.

Oliver Perez, looking to earn a spot in the starting rotation, tossed two scoreless innings, and closer Francisco Rodriguez, in his first spring action, added a scoreless inning of his own.

At 28 years old, Jorge Vaquez seems like an unlikely candidate to break the Yankees' big league lineup, but with the way he performs, I would not be surprised to see him as a backup corner infielder and all-around utility man.

Vazquez has been a member of the Yankees since 2009 when New York found him hanging around the Mexican League playing for the Quintana Roo Tigers where he was dominating the competition, posting a .313 batting average over eight seasons.

One of the most important qualities for a fantasy baseball starting pitcher is consistency. Having a pitcher who can deliver a solid performance week in and week out is worth its weight in gold, especially in head-to-head leagues that are scored on a weekly basis. 

Even the most seasoned pitcher will have an off night now and then. However, finding a bookend starter who will provide a consistent level of strikeouts and wins with a below-average ERA is the key to a successful season. 

The New York Mets will try to put together a turnaround year in 2011. After battling another season of heavy injuries, the Mets will try to at least hit .500, but they will have to play very hard, and even acquire some luck. The Mets will probably go with an Opening Day Roster that looks somewhat like this:

1. Jose Reyes

2. Angel Pagan

3. David Wright

4. Jason Bay

5. Carlos Beltran

6. Ike Davis

7. Ronnie Paulino/Josh Thole

8. Luis Castillo

9. Mike Pelfrey